Page 15 of Luca
I was standing beside, Melissa, watching Marcie’s table dancing antics when her fiancé, Marko Rominov, headed our way. As he whispered in her ear, I slipped away.
Eilidh got up on the table with Marcie and Miki appeared within seconds behind her, no doubt trying to ensure she didn’tfall in the same way Anton was doing for Marcie. I wondered if Luca would do the same for me? Shit, I needed to stop thinking like that.
“Claire, get up here,” Marcie slurred when she finally noticed me.
Her enormous grin lifted my mood, and I scrambled up to dance beside her. I laughed hard when she pretended to use me as a pole, shimmering up and down me and pursing her lips as she sent what she probably thought were flirtatious glances at Anton, which in fact just looked ridiculous in her drunken state. Oh my, I was going to be hung over tomorrow, but Marcie was in for the hangover from hell.
God, I was being such a shitty friend. I should really get us both some water. I climbed down unsteadily and headed to the bar. As I gulped my mineral water, I held up a bottle to Marcie.
But she wasn’t having any of it. She shook her head, and the motion made her fly backwards. Shit, I took an automatic step forward even though I wasn’t in a position to catch her. Luckily, Anton was.
“I think that’s enough dancing on tables for you, birthday girl,” he told her before sitting her down. I gave him the bottle of water as he sat down beside her and he held it up to her mouth.
For a guy who said he wasn’t interested in her, his actions and body language certainly suggested otherwise.
Just like me with Luca. I sighed and closed my eyes, feeling suddenly exhausted.
Unfortunately, Marcie was way beyond the stage where water was of any good. A few sips, had her retching and vomiting all over herself. Oh no, that was so bad!
“I’ll take her home,” Anton announced. I was about to insist I take her instead, but she passed out and he lifted her into his arms, uncaring that she was covered in sick. He looked at me and I nodded, fighting back a grin when Marcie started to snore.
Anton looked down at her and smiled, and the look on his face made my heart clench. It was such an “aw” moment. Marcie let out a louder snort and Anton chuckled before grabbing her bag and carrying her out, bridal style. I grinned as I watched them leave. The guy could protest his feelings all he wanted to, but there was no denying that he had it bad.
She was going to be so embarrassed in the morning. Or probably tomorrow night, after her hangover started to subside enough to let her feel anything other than its effects. Effects I was already starting to feel myself.
I wasn’t worried about Anton taking her home. In fact, I thought it might be the best result of the night. I knew that not only would he take good care of her, but it might even make him drop his guard a little. Maybe even enough to admit to his feelings. I certainly hoped so.
After they left, everyone else began to get ready to leave, too. Derrick, Marcie’s assistant and our good friend, came over with his boyfriend Nicholas and offered me a lift. Nicholas was one of Anton’s men and hadn’t been drinking as he was working in the morning. I gladly accepted, and we packed up Marcie’s gifts so we could get them to her tomorrow.
I was just saying goodbye to the women and Miki when Trigger ran over to us.
“Luca’s been arrested!” And suddenly, I was completely sober.
CHAPTER 8
LUCA
STILL THE SAME NIGHT – ARRESTED!
Iopened the door and stepped inside, thinking about a quick shower, seeing to my unruly appendage, which was back at full mast after my thoughts during the drive home. My mind inevitably returned, again and again, to Claire and what we’d done in my office—then the bed.
As I entered my bedroom, I stopped dead.What the fuck?!
Unable to believe the sight before me, I shook my head in denial. There was blood all over my bed and a naked woman lying spread-eagled, tied to it.
Her hair was over her face, but I recognised the tattoo on her hip. It was Julie. My ex!Oh shit!
Shock washed over me. Without thinking, I rushed to the bed to check if she was dead. As I reached her side, I slipped on something and fell forward, barely catching myself before landing on top of her.Jesus!
Pushing aside her hair to check for a pulse, I grimaced at the sight of her throat. There was no doubt—she was dead. Now I had blood on my hands and up my arms.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!!What the hell was I thinking? I knew better than this!
I was panicking.I never panicked.Tonight’s situation with Claire had messed me up more than I’d realised. This was bad.Really fucking bad!
It took me a minute, but the shock finally subsided enough for me to pull out my phone. Normally, I’d call Miki first, but since he was likely still at the party and might not pick up, I called Trigger, knowing he was working tonight.
Just as I waited for him to pick up, someone pounded on the door.Aw, shit!